Thursday, April 30, 2009

Also this week at the co-op, I spotted some nice looking ricotta and thought it was too good to pass up. I immediately thought of lasagna, but wanted to make it spring-y. With the white sauce, chicken and greens I think it was a good choice for a rainy, but still spring-like, day. I ended up looking at a couple different recipes for general ratios, and then just made up my own based on the ingredients I had. I seasoned with tarragon which gave it a nice, light flavor.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Another item found while I cleaned out the 'fridge was a half used jar of pomegranate molasses. We decided to use some for a pork glaze, inspired by an original Dinner Club recipe of Rima's. She used hers over a tenderloin, but since we were two instead of six, chops seemed the way to go. Tasty.

Monday, April 20, 2009

I mentioned MFK Fisher in an earlier post. I am reading her book "The Art of Eating" right now. It is actually a compilation of five of her books. I came across a quote of hers that made me think of our Dinner Club.

"What six persons may consider choice is delicate to decide. Six tastes, six appetites must be known, and fused by one memory and one skill into a mutually exciting whole. Old preferences must be converted into new. New flavors must be linked with old. From this fusion should result meals as stimulating to the tongue as to the gastric fluids, meals to be remembered with pleasure, evocative of future delights." -MFK Fisher, 1937

"Six friends cook circles round yo' ass." -Madison Dinner Club, 2002

I miss you Dinner Clubbers! I am looking forward to the 'future delight' of a reunion sometime, somewhere...

This was dinner. It was our official good-bye to root vegetables (for the season) dinner. This meal was prompted by me undertaking the spring cleaning of our refrigerator. Some parsnips, golden beets, and carrots were hanging out in the crisper drawer and needed to be used. I also threw in some herbes de Provence for a little taste of spring mixed in with the winter.

Just to clarify, this is actually breakfast and not dinner, but I'm posting it anyway because it was good! Nick whipped these up for a Sunday morning treat. The Herbes de Provence really put this dish over the top. Also, I just love my Yogi inspiration tea tags. What a nice thought to keep with you throughout the day.

Easter this year was at Jess' parents. A ridiculous amount of food was eaten. Here are some of the highlights:Easter Macaroons from Patrick's, a big spring salad with watercress and spinach, and hammmm...

Friday, April 10, 2009

Speaking of Nick's birthday, his parents (two of our foodie role models) got him a couple of fantastic cookbooks this year. This recipe is from "The Best of Gourmet: Sixty-Five Years." It's 1991's favorite recipe. Nick proclaimed it 'very 90's' and I proclaimed it 'very tasty.'

Thursday, April 09, 2009

I just realized that we forgot to post Nick's Birthday pictures. Sorry this is out of order, but the meal was too good not to post.

We started with our favorite American Sparkling Wine in Nick's fancy new/old champagne bucket, followed by JJ's recipe for Salmon Curry. To finish we purchased a mini Ryan's Cake from Patrick's Bakery. They are the reason I will never bake another birthday cake.

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About Madison Dinner Club

In 2001, six friends met for the first time to share dinner in a kitchen in Madison, WI. Since that fateful evening, many happy and delicious meals have been consumed. As the Dinner Clubbers began to pull up roots and scatter across the country, this blog was created as a way to stay connected to dear friends by sharing recipes, ideas, and inspiration.